Daniel walked in, took one look at me, and shook his head.
“You look like you’re about to defend a dissertation.”
“I am. The dissertation is called How Not to Ruin Your Life in Front of Two Families.”
“What’s your conclusion?”
“Insufficient evidence.”
He fixed my tie.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he looked at me.
“You know, when Dad first told me about you and Mom, I thought my whole life was falling apart.”
I swallowed.
“I know.”
“I thought I was going to lose my best friend and my mother at the same time.”
He glanced toward the garden, where guests were beginning to gather.
“But I didn’t.”
He gave me a small smile.
“Things changed. They had to. But I didn’t lose either of you.”
I put a hand on his shoulder.
“Thank you for giving us a chance.”
He nodded.
“Thank you for not making me regret it.”
